Although Christians make up only 2% of the population in
Iraq, the UN High Commission for Refugees reports that they make up
40% of the 1.6 million Iraqis in search of asylum abroad. This
striking disproportion is caused by the persecution and almost total
lack of protection suffered by Iraqi Christians: Since 2003 about
2,000 Christians have been killed in multiple waves of violence
throughout the country. Their number has plummeted from 900,000
before the invasion, down to approximately 200,000 today. Of those
who remain in the country, many are internally displaced.

"This massive immigration has put upon us a lot of pastoral pressure. Every
evening, our churches are packed with the faithful. We feel that
there is a need for at least 3 new churches to welcome the faithful
in the area" Most Rev. Bashar Matti Warda, C.SS.R.
Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, Iraq

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